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Senator Peterson (right) pictured with his wife, Lisa, while being sworn in as President Pro Tempore of the Ohio Senate.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) was sworn in as President Pro Tempore of the Ohio Senate on Tuesday during opening ceremonies held at the Statehouse. The first official session marked the beginning of the 132nd Ohio General Assembly.

President Pro Tempore—the number two position in the Senate—serves as temporary president in the absence of the Senate President.

"I am truly honored to have been selected to serve as the Senate's President Pro Tempore. In this new capacity, I look forward to building on our efforts to improve Ohio’s economy and ensuring that state government is responsive to the needs of the people of Ohio."

Senator Peterson was first appointed to the Ohio Senate in 2012 to fill the vacant seat of David Daniels, who now serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

"Our state has come a long way, but we remain diligent in our efforts to continue improving the state’s business climate and promoting job creation, which benefits all Ohio families."

Senator Peterson most recently served as chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which oversees legislation that affects state and local government revenues as well as tax collection. Before coming to the Ohio Senate, Senator Peterson served a term in the House of Representatives and 14 years as a Fayette County Commissioner.

A lifelong farmer, Senator Peterson and his wife, Lisa, continue to operate their family farm in Fayette County where they live with their three children, Sarah, Hannah and Todd.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) today announced that the Ohio Legislative Service Commission is accepting applications through April 1, 2018 for the 2019 Legislative and Telecommunications Fellowship Program. The Commission will hire 24 fellows to serve in the Ohio General Assembly for the 2019 calendar year.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House), co-sponsor of House Bill 1, today announced the unanimous Senate passage of legislation aimed at enhancing protections for individuals who are victims of violence and abuse when they are in a dating relationship with the offender.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) announced that this week the Ohio Senate unanimously passed a plan to reform the process for drawing Ohio’s congressional districts. With a strong bipartisan vote in the Ohio House today, Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 5 will now go before Ohio voters on the May ballot. The passage of Sub SJR 5 follows weeks of negotiations between the leadership of both parties in the General Assembly and various redistricting reform coalitions.